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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Real-Time Quantitative Measurement of Tumor Cell Migration and Invasion Following Synthetic mRNA Transfection
Published on: June 23, 2023
Transcriptional upregulation of microtubule-associated protein 2 is involved in the protein kinase A-induced decrease
Yuxi Zhou1, Sihan Wu1, Chaofeng Liang1
1Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (Y.Z., S.W., Y.L., K.L., B.L., M.S., Y.H., W.Z., D.X., J.H., G.Y.); Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China (C.L.); Department of Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China (Y.Z., Z.K.); Department of Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (J.H.).
Background:
Malignant glioma is the most lethal primary tumor of the central nervous system, with notable cell invasion causing significant recurrence. Suppression of glioma invasion is very important for improving clinical outcomes. Drugs that directly disrupt the cytoskeleton have been developed for this purpose; however, drug resistance and unsatisfactory selectivity have limited their clinical use. Previously, we reported that protein kinase A (PKA, also known as cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase) activation induced the differentiation of glioma cells.
Methods:
We used several small molecular inhibitors and RNA interference, combined with wound healing assays, Matrigel transwell assay, and microscopic observation, to determine whether activation of the PKA pathway could inhibit the invasion of human glioma cells.
Results:
Activation of PKA decreased the invasion of glioma cells. The mechanism operated via transcriptional upregulation of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), which was activated by the PKA pathway and led to ossification of microtubule dynamics via polymerization of tubulin. This resulted in morphological changes and a reduction in glioma cell invasion. Furthermore, chromosome immunoprecipitation and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is involved in the transcriptional upregulation of MAP2.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggested that PKA may represent a potential target for anti-invasion glioma therapy and that the downstream modulators (eg, STAT3/MAP2) partially mediate the effects of PKA.
Insights
Protein kinase A (PKA) activation inhibits malignant glioma cell invasion by upregulating microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). This discovery offers a new therapeutic strategy for treating aggressive brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Malignant glioma, a lethal brain tumor, is characterized by invasive growth and recurrence.
- Current anti-invasion therapies face challenges like drug resistance and poor selectivity.
- Previous research indicated protein kinase A (PKA) activation promotes glioma cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if activating the PKA pathway can inhibit human glioma cell invasion.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying PKA's effect on glioma invasion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized small molecule inhibitors and RNA interference.
- Employed wound healing and Matrigel transwell assays.
- Performed microscopic observation, chromosome immunoprecipitation, and quantitative real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- PKA activation significantly reduced glioma cell invasion.
- This effect was mediated by the transcriptional upregulation of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) via the PKA pathway.
- MAP2 activation led to microtubule stabilization and reduced cell invasion, with STAT3 identified as a key regulator in this process.
Conclusions:
- PKA activation presents a promising therapeutic target for inhibiting glioma invasion.
- Downstream effectors, including STAT3 and MAP2, partially mediate PKA's anti-invasion effects.
- This study provides a foundation for developing novel anti-glioma therapies targeting the PKA pathway.
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